McGregor Alternative Technology are holding another of their excellent cob convergences to promote
appropriate building and environmentally sensitive technology. Over the
weekend of the 16th and 17th of December there will be lectures, discussion and hands-on building - not
to forget the socialising and networking.
This year there seem to be a strong theme emerging. And that is we too
have an heritage, and future, in earth building as our earth houses
go back to the 16th centuary and show definate signs of continuing well into the future with wonderful new projects coming up.
So from the past we will have SAHRA giving a presentation and we will have a speaker speaking on the houses of the Western Cape, will confirm name later.
Jill will be talking about the restoration she has being doing this year and her findings and how they impact on future building..
Martin Firer from Argdesigns will be talking on the Project at Wolwekloof.
There will be a stall serving teas, coffees and cool drinks and various food stalls.
The Kamp Terrain next door to us has said we can put up tents on the lawn under the trees but I am afraid it will be first come, first serve, so be inventive about shade. There will be a fee of R50 per tent but that gives you access to a flush toilet and a shower. The R50 to be paid directly to Nanette at the Kamp Terrain
Kombis, bakkies, tents etc can be set up on the old tennis court at MAT for R50 as well .Please bring a chair and if preparing your own food your cooker etc.
We will be working – putting in foundations and building a cob garden wall, kitchen units and plastering. We will also be making the chimney larger and building parapets on the from roof. But in fact if you would rather just sit and chat that is fine too.
So please bring your tents, cookers (if you are cooking your own food) food drinks, wellington boots, gloves, plastering tools and any other equipment you think you might need, hats, and most important mosquito repellent, sun block
If you have a project you want to share there will be a display area for small displays and we would love to see them.
There will also be a guided tour of local earth houses by local guides, some who are in the process of repairing their houses the natural way.
Bring musical instruments, as we will be exercising our voices and talents around a fire each evening.
If you need alternative accommodation contact me and I will give you a list of what is available.
So lots to do, see and share and looking forward to seeing you all, Love Jill Hogan
Telephone; 023 625 1533 email;
To facilitate all this we do need to know numbers so we are asking for a R100 deposit. The cost is R200 a day per person.
Deposit required; R100.00 PER PERSON Banking details: Absa Cheque account no 4050914536, Branch code 334713, Robertson in the name of Jill Hogan
Please bring deposit slip with you or email copy to me.
Saturday16th Dec 2006
• 7.30am – 9.00am Registration • 9.00am Welcome by Jill Hogan • 9.15am – 12.15am Cob building workshops • 11.00am Tour of McGregor Houses • 12.15pm - 1.30pm Lunch • 1.45pm – 2.45pm talk - Malcolm Worby – “An Introduction to Cob, Adobe and Strawbale building.” • 2.45pm – 3.15pm – tea • 3.15pm – 4.15pm talk – Andy Horn - “Natural Building as a process for public participation” • 4.30pm –5.30pm - Martin Firer – “Wolvekloof Project”
Sunday 17th Dec 2006
• 7.30am – 12.15pm registration & building workshops • 11.00am Tour of McGregor Houses • 12.15pm – 1.30pm Lunch • 1.45pm - 2.45 talk – “Good Boots and a Good Hat” by Jill Hogan • 2.45pm – 3.15pm Tea • 3.30 –4.30 – talk Etienne Bruwer – “SCRATCHINGS IN MUD AND ON SLATE NECESSARY TURNS VIA THE PAST IN A YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO THE FUTURE “ • 4.30 – Convergence closes.
• We will be using paraffin showers built by JP van der Walt. JP has also built a ram pump. • Pip Longden will put up his parabolic solar cooker • We will have displays of various alternative methods of cooking and even ironing • And other solar related item, plus what is available to use off your 12 volt system. • There will be a stall selling items made from recycled glass. • During the convergence we will completing the building of a wind generator using Cretan Sails. • We will be building Mat’s roof. • Putting in foundations and building a garden wall • Plastering with lime render. • Sharing our successes and failures and our projects.
There will also be displays of alternative energy, e.g. solar stoves, hot water systems, alternative irons, fans, radios etc..
We will be attempting to finish a wind generator with Cretan Sails.
A display area for you to display visuals of your project.
McGregor Alternative Technology are holding another of their excellent cob convergences to promote
appropriate building and environmentally sensitive technology. Over the
weekend of the 16th and 17th of December there will be lectures, discussion and hands-on building - not
to forget the socialising and networking. 